(A GNA Feature by Samuel Adadi Akapule) Bolgatanga, Nov. 26, GNA - In a free election the voters choose political representations that best stand for their needs. Voting, it should be emphasized is not meant for free. Voters elect their representatives to serve them and their representatives are accountable to them. Through the election process, people choose which politician and political party they trust to speak for them and to deliver what they want if the party comes into government. In a democratic election everyone has an equal right to elect or reject the current government. The voters therefore are the most powerful when it comes to elections. They can make a party or presidential candidate win or lose the election. It is therefore very crucial for politicians to take the needs of the electorate very serious if they want to win an election and retain it. In instances where politicians turn their back on the electorate, they suffer major setbacks by losing next election. Where they listen and satisfy the demands of the citizens as often captured in their manifestoes, they win. Participants at a forum organised in Bolgatanga in October this year to create a platform for citizens to engage the political parties on maternal mortality issues noted that Politicians, and for that matter Governments, over the years lacked the political commitment to deal with the issue. The forum, which was organised by the Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternative (PARDA), a non-governmental organisation under OXFAM’s “Maternal Mortality Project”, attracted representatives of Political parties, traditional authorities, assembly members, women's groups and opinion leaders among others. The political parties that were represented were the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) New Patriotic Party (NPP), People’s National Convention (PNC), Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Progressive People's Party (PPP). The forum stressed the need for the political parties to make the issue of maternal mortality one of the cardinal principles in their manifestoes and to make sure they implement their policies and programmes effectively if they are elected to power. The participants expressed concern about the spate of maternal mortality in the country and called on government and other stakeholders to pay special attention to the subject by providing the necessary logistics and human resources in health facilities, especially those in the deprived areas such as the three Northern Regions, to reverse the scourge. Additionally they raised issues about the shortage of health professionals, particularly doctors, midwives, ambulance services to convey the sick, particularly pregnant women from deprived communities to health facilities and unaffordable healthcare. The doctor to patient ratio in the Upper East Region is one doctor to 38,000 patients. Health workers and other public sector employees are unwilling to accept postings to certain parts of the country, particularly areas considered to be deprived. Consequently, there are hospitals and health facilities without health professionals dotted in many parts of the country. This challenge deprives certain parts of the country of their fair share of the national cake. Meanwhile, there are scores of doctors and health professionals in urban areas contributing very little to the national economy and concentrating on their own private businesses at the expense of the state. To attract health professionals particularly doctors to deprived areas, the government has always introduced some incentive packages for workers who accept postings to such areas. Unfortunately, this policy has done very little to address the problem at hand satisfactorily. Perhaps the time has come to take another look at the policy if it has failed to make the desired impact. Participants at the Bolga forum called on the government to commit more resources to improve conditions in the rural areas. The road network, schools, potable water, electricity, as well as recreational facilities, must be improved in such areas so that a transfer does not appear to be a punishment. Political parties that win power must also make it compulsory for Health Professionals to accept to serve people in the remotest parts of the country as a sign of appreciation for the contributions made by people in those areas towards the creation of national wealth. It would be recalled that Mr Sebastian Tiah, Country Director of Oxfam at the forum, said the main focus of his outfit was to work towards the elimination of the structural causes of poverty, making economic and social justice a top global priority and playing an active role in the global movement for a just world. He said health was a human right issue and expressed wonder why women in an attempt to exercise their reproductive rights should to die. Mr Tiah stressed that it is unacceptable in the 21st century for a pregnant woman to die when giving birth. It is therefore very significant for the various political parties seeking the people's mandate now to take the demands made by the electorate seriously by implementing them should anyone of them win the impending Presidential election. Any Political party that wins power must ensure that demands such as adequate health infrastructure, affordable medical health care, means of ambulance services, and adequate health facilities are provided. There is no doubt that if Political parties fulfill their promises they would reap the fullest benefit. This time voters are more discerning than previously and that should be a signal to all political parties and their candidates. The Political Parties at the forum that promised to provide adequate health facilities including the building of more hospitals and institutions to train the manpower needs to make health more affordable and accessible among others must adhere to their promises when they win the forthcoming electionand form the next government. They must bear in mind that voters would monitor them to see whether they fulfill their promises. Voters, on their part, must hold the politicians accountable and punish them by refusing to vote for them in the next election should they fail to live up to their campaign pledges....
Winneba (C/R), Nov. 26, GNA – Government is committed to vigorously promoting education, which is the core of the country’s development strategy, towards poverty alleviation as well as improving the lives of the people. The strategic direction of education delivery that is tailored towards sustainable national development, is focused on critical areas such as equity and access, educational management, science and technology, and technical and vocational training at all the levels of education. The Minister for Education, Mr Lee Ocran, said these in an address read on his behalf at the 17th Congregation of the University of Education (UEW), Winneba, on Saturday, during which 3,759 graduates were awarded with Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates. He commended the UEW for supporting educational programmes as Ghana seeks to attain the Millennium Development Goals, especially in providing equal, access and quality education at the primary and secondary level for all Ghanaian children by 2015. Mr Ocran said the government was progressively taking steps to solve problems of inadequate infrastructure and staff development and motivation. He appealed to the UEW to come out with new theories in education, to improve teaching and learning and said: “most of the pertinent traditional theories of education have outlived their usefulness to some extent as a result of the changing values, cultures and technology. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw, expressed concern that a large number of teachers trained by the UEW have not been employed while there are many classrooms without teachers. He said the UEW since its inception in 1992 to date, has turned out 70, 273 graduates, and the total number of distance learning graduates is 21,538. Prof. Ameyaw said with assistance of the GETfund and other sources, the University has expanded infrastructure at its campuses to enhance academic work. He advised the graduates that “as young graduates, you are bound to make errors, but you should learn from the errors, that you commit”, to enable you to discharge your duties well. GNA...
Accra, Nov 26, GNA – Hearts of Oak began their surge with two second half goals in their Accra derby against Liberty Professionals which marks David Duncan’s first win in two outings. The win, made possible by goals from Robin Gnagne and Ashitey Ollenu pushed the Phobians within the first ten on the log and hand the former Ashgold trainer a platform to build on. Ivorian import, Gnagne put Hearts ahead from the spot in 70 minutes to mark his debut Premiership goal in the game Liberty was tipped to start as favourites following their recent fine form that has seen Kennedy Ashai scored in every game. Four minutes on, Ollenu put the game beyond Liberty when he completed a fine feed from Captain, Mahatma Otoo to wrap up all points for the Phobians. Elsewhere in Tema, league champions, Asante Kotoko gave their title defence a big boost digging deep to post a 2-1 win over Tema Youth. Kotoko, after a slow start scored first in the early half through Ben Acheampong before Francis Narh pulled parity for the homers deep into the half. Tema Youth held on well and just when the game was appearing to be heading to an end with only a point separating both sides, Rashid Sumaila struck in the 83rd minute, securing victory for the Porcupine Warriors. King Faisal and Wa All Stars shared the spoils in their goalless fixture played at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi. Both sides did little to prove why one must head home with all three points making the point apiece a true reflection of the game. The result leaves both clubs among the last four on the table. At the Gyamfi Park, Bekwai, New Edubiase pushed Real Tamale United (RTU) to the foot of the table after beating them 2-0 with a goal from each half by Adam Basit and Ibrahim Samed. The defeat, RTU’s fourth in eight matches’ means the losers will have to play beyond themselves when they host inform Ebusua Dwarfs in a midweek fixture in Tamale. Medeama relinquished a 2-0 lead to draw with Amidaus Professionals in their game played at the T&A Park, Tarkwa. The result tore the host dreams of returning to the summit of the log into shreads. Medeama went ahead four minutes into the game through Theophilus Anobaah's before Akwei Polo added another to consolidate the lead. But the debutants proved resolute with inspirational Yahaya Mohammed and Selasi Adjei finding the back of the net to pick a point off the host. It was all joy at the Golden City Park when Berekum Arsenals picked their first win this season. A 30th minutes cracker by Bright Kukubor was all the ‘Gunners’ required to start dreaming again. The win which moves Arsenals from the bottom of the standings leaves the Miners in mid table. Berekum Chelsea emerged the biggest losers this weekend following a 1-4 defeat to Ebusua Dwarfs at the Robert Mensah Stadium, Cape Coast. Returning home for the first time after serving their home ban, Dwarfs proved why they could have finished within the first four last season but for that ban that diminished their opportunities. Dwarfs were unstoppable in front of a fine turn out. Francis Atuquaye scored a brace in between strikes from John Arthur and Awisone Fumador as the homers rewarded their loyal and demanding supporters with what could be their guests’ worse defeat in many season. Chelsea only consolation came through Bismark Idan. In an early kick off game on Saturday, Aduana Stars brushed aside Heart of Lions in their game at the Agyemang Badu Park, Dormaa. The win take the former champions atop of the log after two second half goals from Godfred Saka and Daniel Darkwah fashioned out their third win on the trot GNA...
Breman Brakwa (C/R), Nov 26, GNA – A police officer has appealed to supporters of the party that would win the December general election not to go to the residencies of supporters of losing parties to tease them. Inspector Daniel Tawiah, in charge of the Breman Brakwa Police Station, said since the constitution guaranteed freedom of movement, supporters of the winning party could make merry on the streets. He said this at a forum organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation with support from the European Union (EU) AT Breman Brakwa in the Asikuma-Oboben-Brakwa District. It was on the theme, “promoting democratic citizenship to enhance election peace, transparency and credibility in Ghana”. Inspector Tawiah said the police had been prepared to contain any violence before, during and after the elections and appealed to people who had made up their minds to cause trouble during the elections to change their minds immediately. He said the police had been tasked to protect the ballot boxes and that they were prepared to do that even at the peril of their lives and cautioned people who are not officials of the EC to stay away from the ballot boxes after casting their votes. He said “machomen” would not be entertained on the day of the elections and added “Don’t go and hide to direct people to go and vote for a particular party.” Mr Charles Arkoh, a Returning Officer of the EC, said nobody was above the law therefore no voter must jump the queue. Mr Ibrahim Yusif, a representative of the Chief Imam, said the election would be a testing case for Ghana as the whole world was watching and appealed to voters to measure up to the test. Mr Peter Kobina Gyasi, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, said since Ghana’s democracy was based on multi-party system, people must not regard people in other parties as enemies. “We must co-exist peacefully and must not allow freedom of association to breed enmity,” he said. GNA...
Apam (C/R), Nov 26, GNA – A deaf and dump man in the Gomoa West District, Mr Issaka Obeng, has appealed to the government to provide interpreters for people with hearing and speaking disabilities to enable them to communicate with the public at places such as hospitals and schools. Mr Obeng made the appeal at a debate for Gomoa West constituency parliamentary candidates organised by the Gomoa West District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Apam. All the three aspirants, Mr Francis Kojo Arthur for NDC, Mr Edwin Abakah Williams for NPP and Ms Leah Addison Simpson for PPP, participated in the debate. Mr Obeng said the deaf and the dump found it difficult to attend hospital as they could not communicate with the nurses and the doctors in sign language. He said this could be easier if they had interpreters to translate their messages to the health authorities and appealed to the aspirants to speak on their behalf on the floor of parliament. Mr Cletus Abang, Central Regional Director of NCCE, said the Commission had decided to organise the debates for the constituents to know what the candidates could do for them when they elected them to parliament. It is also to promote unity and cooperation among the aspirants. Mr Arthur, the Member of Parliament, said the government had decided to build an irrigation dam at Gomoa Mprumem for farmers. He said as a policy, the NDC would concentrate on improving conditions and facilities at the kindergarten, primary and the junior high schools to make them give quality education and extend access to education by constructing more senior high schools, polytechnics and universities and would also trained more teachers. Mr Williams said his flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo’s vision to make Senior High School education free would be pursued in earnest. He said he would organise remedial classes for students who would fail their final examinations for them to benefit from the free SHS education. Ms Simpson appealed to voters to vote for female candidates and reminded of what Dr Kwegyir Aggrey said about education of women that “if you educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a nation,” and said it would be in the interest of the nation if more women were elected to parliament. GNA...
Prestea (W/R), Nov 26, GNA – Seventy-two employees of Golden Star New Century (GSNC) mine at Prestea have received awards for their long service to the company. Employees who have served for 10 years received 10 bags of cement, one packet of roofing sheet and a certificate each. The programmme was under the theme “Re-start of operations labours contribution towards operational excellence” The General Manager of the company, Mr. Jerry Agala, said 72, 000 Ghana cedis was spent on the award adding that this year no staff qualified for the 5 years award. Mr. Agala said as GSNC mine would soon begin the Prestea underground mine operation and he called on the staff to support the company in meeting its target by working hard. He expressed his gratitude to the award winners who have sacrificed for the companyall these years. The Member of Parliament for Prestea Huni/Valley, Mr. Francis Adu-Blay Koffie, commended the company for refilling the pit in Prestea and said the government as well as the district were prepared to assist them succeed in their operations. Mr. Koffie appealed to the company to take advantage of the gas project and rather use it in powering their activities rather than electricity. One of the award winners, Mr. Mark Kuribole, spoke on behalf of the award winners and thanked the company for awards. GNA...
Sunyani, Nov. 26, GNA - Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur at the weekend called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters to remain calm in the face of provocation, and convince Ghanaians to retain the party in power, on December 7. He explained that voting for President John Dramani Mahama, who is the NDC presidential candidate for Election 2012 and the party’s parliamentary candidates, would be a better response to agents of provocation. The Vice President was addressing a rally organised by Youth For Mahama in Sunyani, which begins a three-day campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo Region, in the final moments for the December 7 polls. The tour is scheduled to take Vice President Amissah-Arthur, the running mate of President Mahama, to about 20 towns and communities in the Brong Ahafo Region, a notable cocoa growing and generally agricultural region of Ghana. The Vice President reiterated the commitment of the party to development, and asked the electorate to keep in mind the track record of the NDC Government and renew its mandate for another four-year term. The Vice President commended the group for working towards victory for the NDC in the forthcoming polls. He stressed that more people would be attracted to the NDC if party members propagate NDC unprecedented record. He asked the electorate to vote massively for President Mahama to actualize “one touch” victory for the party. The Vice President asked the youth to be tolerant, law abiding and avoid reacting to any provocation. Vice President Amissah-Arthur had earlier paid a courtesy call on Nana Asor Krawi, Omanhene of Sunyani. Nana Krawi commended the NDC for supporting the region during hard times. He said the late President John Evans Atta Mills lived to his 2008 promise to establish a university in the region, and said he believed that the NDC would fulfill others promises to the people. GNA...
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS